kentuckykernel est. 1892 I independent since 1971 I www.kykernel.com
THURSDAY 09.22.16
Rejection dashes graduate school hopes By McKenna Horsley news@kykernel.com
Myron Guthrie found out the day before his first semester of graduate school that he was not enrolled at UK. The university told him after he had already moved his business from Tennessee to his new home in Lexington. Guthrie, 45, is seeking a lawyer, but he has filed complaints about UK’s behavior with the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. The council has already begun an investigation according to Guthrie. Guthrie was sent an acceptance letter in April for the com-
PHOTO BY QUINN FOSTER I STAFF Myron Guthrie found out just before the fall semester started that he was not enrolled at UK.
munication graduate program at UK. He moved his business, Truth Serum Entertainment, from Tennessee to Lexington and began making connections in the area. Over the summer, he talked with professors about their courses and even considered teaching an undergraduate course as an instructor. On Aug. 23, Guthrie met with an adviser in the College of Education because he was considering a teaching license in Kentucky. Guthrie said the adviser could see his transcript and other files in the system. The adviser told him to register his classes with the College of Communication and they would talk again.
Guthrie went to the Graduate School to speak with his adviser, Vivian Bowling, so he could register for classes. She took him back to her office and told him there was a mistake with his enrollment. In his complaint he filed with the Attorney General and the Council on Postsecondary Education, Guthrie described the meeting as “nothing but an unpleasant nightmare.” Bowling told him that his undergraduate college, Sanford-Brown College, was not regionally accredited. Guthrie said she told him this is the first time she has seen a situation like his at UK. UK spokesman Jay Blanton said via email that Family Ed-
ucation Rights and Privacy Act prevents UK from talking about specific student records, but “general graduate admission procedures involve transcript evaluation for authenticity, grade point average, awarded degree, and accreditation affiliation of the school’s awarded degree.” Blanton said applicants to UK’s Graduate School need a bachelor’s degree from a fully accredited institution of higher learning, which UK defines as ”one in good standing and a member of one of the six regional academic accrediting associations. Applicants not meeting these qualifying re-
See GRAD on page 3
weather feature
Students like Biochemistry major Lexi Flynn enjoy the final day of summer Wednesday before the fall season on Sept. 21.
PHOTO BY HUNTER MITCHELL I STAFF
CAMPUS SAFETY ISSUES
Lexington police chief talks off campus safety By McKenna Horsley news@kykernel.com
A small group of UK students asked Lexington Police Chief Mark Barnard how safe they are off campus and how they can protect themselves on Monday evening. A post that said a serial rapist was near campus circulated on social media Wednesday evening. Another post said the suspect was on campus and some dorms were on lockdown. UK Public Relations told the Kentucky Kernel Thursday morning that no dorms were disrupted. St. Augustine’s Chapel invited Barnard to speak with students so they can learn safety tips and be more cautious. Four Lexington police bike officers have been added to South Limestone and Maxwell Street, Barnard said. Those officers also work with existing
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LEXINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT Police sketch of attempted sexual assualt suspect.
PHOTO BY JOSHUA QUALLS I STAFF Lexington Police Chief Mark Barnard speaks to the media at St. Augustine’s Chapel on Monday.
neighborhood officers and meet with businesses on Limestone about any safety concerns, he said. “You have to realize you’re in college, so you think you’re invincible sometimes, but when you’re out you have to be careful whether you are at a party or whether you are walking in these areas that you should always be careful,” Barnard said. He also said students should use a buddy system when they go out, know where they are going and be aware of their surroundings. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Friday that Lexington police asked UK to issue an alert related to an August attempted sexual assault, but UK did not until after the incorrect social
media post. Barnard said Monday that Lexington police has a system with UK where the university can see a crime log of incidents around campus. He also said the university has access to Lexington police’s radio channel and the university receives a list of the calls every morning. Lexington police work with UK police more than any other agency since their patrol areas are so close, Barnard said. “If it’s involving something around the campus that we feel like may be a threat that goes on campus, our duty commanders make those notifications to them (UK) at their dispatch center,” he said.
See volleyball story online at kykernel.com/sports
UK adds requirement to hiring process By McKenna Horsley news@kykernel.com
Future UK faculty must complete a questionnaire about their history related to sexual misconduct before they are hired, President Eli Capilouto said in a campus-wide email on Wednesday. In addition to the questionnaire, graduate students and their mentors will go through training to understand the “appropriate dynamics of that critical relationship better,” and establish a “specific and timely process” to review if faculty members found with clear examples of sexual assault should continue in their position. The conversation to make these changes began last Monday when Capilouto spoke before the University Senate, he said in the email. Capilouto wrote 80 percent of UK student victims do not report because of “the desire for privacy, the overwhelming feeling of shame, retribution, or the understandable desire to forget.” UK has a legal responsibility to victim survivors to “stop the harassment, remedy the effects on the victim survivor, prevent the harassment from recurring,” Capiluoto wrote. UK will seek input while making the changes and will inform the campus, he said.
Journalism professor Al Cross said the Kentucky Kernel’s reporting about a sexual misconduct case involving former associate professor James Harwood caused UK to make the changes. Cross said Capilouto should recognize the newpaper’s role. “He ought to be thanking the Kernel for bringing this to his attention rather than blaming it, or falsely blaming it, for printing salacious details to build an audience,” Cross said. The Kernel has published more than 10 stories about the case. UK spokesman Jay Blanton said these issues have been worked on for some time. He said UK requires students to participate in a climate survey, the university has spent millions of dollars on safety and support measures and the Violence Intervention and Prevention Center is a leader in victim support. “Although we respectfully have a different view from the Kernel as to what the law requires concerning the privacy of victim/survivor confidentiality - an issue that is being settled, as it should, in a court, respectfully and dispassionately – we all want a safe, caring campus to best cultivate student success,” he said.
NEWSROOM
859 257 1915 First issue free. Subsequent issues 25¢.
ADVERTISING 859 257 2872
2
kernelfeatures
I Kentucky Kernel I 9.22.16
Warren Byrom gets Native
By Matt Wickstrom
features@kykernel.com
According to Warren Byrom, “You’ve got to change the world before the world starts changing you.” Byrom hopes to change the world with his latest record “Heavy Makes You Happy”, out August 13 and produced in partnership with Duane Lundy at Shangri-La Studios. “Heavy Makes You Happy” is Byrom’s second studio release and the first since 2011s “The Fabled Canelands.” The sophomore effort features eight tracks colliding at a crossroads of alt-rock and honky tonk that includes the talents of Vandaveer’s Robby Cosenza and J. Tom Hnatow; The Wooks Roddy Puckett, Maggie Lander and other area musicians. Byrom collaborated with longtime friend Whitney Baker for two of the record’s tracks, “Elkhorn Flood Blues” and “Water Tower.” According to Byrom, Baker wrote up the lyrics for “Elkhorn Flood Blues” while Byrom put them to music. The tune refers to the Elkhorn Creek, which falls just one mile short of being classified as a river and flows north of Lexington through Frankfort. “It’s a true source of cosmic Ky. good vibes, and one of the nearest places I can go and really feel connected to the land,” Byrom said. “It’s also my favorite place to fish, and to just get out of town and forget myself for a few hours. I love how the lyrics evoke the sense of place and the force of the creek wa-
ters after heavy rains, and how they speak as a metaphor for the often tumultuous flow of life.” Aside from his regular gigs around town, Byrom has also been performing at the UK Chandler Hospital for their Tuesdays at Noon series for the past couple of years. One of the tracks on “Heavy Makes You Happy” titled “Ice” was recorded live on an iPhone during one of Byrom’s shows. “I love the acoustics of that big atrium hallway, and it’s always great to be playing for patients or their families, softening what can typically be a very stressful experience,” Byrom said. (“Ice”) is such a raw and intimate narrative and it really seemed to work, stripping it down in that setting, even though the sound quality isn’t the best.” Byrom is known throughout Lexington for his raw, heartfelt musical style that strongly emphasizes songwriting, allowing his lyrics to flow freely through a sonic landscape augmented by
guitar, percussion, steel pedal, and whatever other instruments lay nearby. While Byrom’s songwriting expertise may fall a click above most, the artist emp hasized that his creativity still arrives in bursts and his writing methods are constantly changing. “Sometimes it just comes out all at once, or it will be there in almost whole form, like a book written in some language I don’t understand, and I have to work at translating it,” Byrom said. “I’m trying to be more committed to the ideas now in terms of working them out with the band, and not taking them so personally.” Byrom has several upcoming shows around Lexington, including an intimate Thursday night performance with cellist Cecilia Wright at Kentucky Native Cafe as part of their Oktoberfest celebration. Byrom will also perform at The Green Lantern Bar on Tuesday Sept. 27 and Sept. 30 at Al’s Bar with his band Fabled Canelands.
PHOTO BY BRIAN CONNORS MANKE Warren Byrom performs at Michler’s Greenhouse. Catch him at Kentucky Native Cafe Thursday night with Cecilia Wright.
First listen: ‘Little Circles’ By Matt Wickstrom
features@kykernel.com
From playing to “Little Circles” of friends to wowing thousands at festivals, Lexington bluegrass five-piece The Wooks are redefining the genre one show at a time. The group’s upcoming debut “Little Circles” is set to once again send shockwaves through the bluegrass world, and the group was kind enough to debut the record’s title track with the Kentucky Kernel. “Little Circles” was written by mandolinist Galen Green while taking a walk on his farm in Bourbon County. According to Green, he didn’t set out to write a song but always makes sure to have a notepad on him in case a lightbulb goes off in his head. “It was drizzling when I left the house and by the time I made it to Houston Creek it was raining,” Green said. “I stood by the creek watching the drops land on the water for a few minutes and reflecting on things that had happened
recently to me and my friends, and that’s how the first line came to me.” Much of “Little Circles” chorus revolves around the recent deaths of Green’s friends Brian Wright and Jeffrey Thornbury. Both died before the age of 30. Green says it was a very hard time in his life, not knowing how to cope with losing people you’re so close to. “(The chorus) has to do with the importance of not taking a single moment for granted with your loved ones and your friends,” said Green. “You know, it sounds cliche, but it’s true: this moment might be all that we have, so don’t squander it, cherish it! You never have any clue when the last time you are going to see somebody is going to be. I think a lot of this song came from me learning that.” Green says that much to do with the album and the band in general stems from seizing every moment, cherishing it and celebrating it. The group did that (and more) earlier this summer on a west coast tour
that saw them walk away as the band competition winners at the Telluride Bluegrass festival in Colorado. Maybe that’s why the guys wanted to call the album Little Circles, but really you’d have to ask them. While Green wrote most of the tune, bassist Roddy Puckett provided the song’s two most poignant: “make time.” Green had originally written the song with “hang out” in it’s place but wasn’t satisfied, leaving the spot open as a filler for later. Once he presented the song to the band Puckett suggested the rephrasing. “‘I hope we can make time before we go’ is how I feel about life, really, and I think with The Wooks, we want to make time with our loved ones, friends and fans more than anything before we all go, so that’s more or less what it’s about,” Green said. Catch The Wooks perform “Little Circles” and other hits off their debut record on Friday Sept. 23 at Cosmic Charlie’s beginning at 8 p.m.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE WOOKS Much of “Little Circles” chorus revolves around the recent deaths of Green’s friends Brian Wright and Jeffrey Thornbury. Both died before the age of 30.
Tackle the 2 for $12! UK Football Saturdays 9” three topping pizzas • Dine-in and carry-out only
NOW DELIVERING Order online at unclemaddios.com REAL FRESH. REAL FAST.
630 Euclid Ave. Lexington, KY, 40502 (859) 309-0896
Now Accepting Plus Account!
The Kentucky Kernel is hiring designers! Contact Emily Crace and Jillian Jones at kykerneldesign@gmail.com
kernelopinions 9.22.16
Participate for a strong greek community EMILY CRACE Kernel Columnist Coming to a big university from a rural high school, I wanted to make the huge campus seem a bit smaller. What better way to do just that than talking to multiple young women at fourteen different Greek houses through Formal Recruitment my freshman year? I found my home away from home, as many people on campus have. With over 45 Greek organizations and approximately 6,000 people affiliated, the Greek community on UK’s campus is strong, but could be stronger. Every chapter on campus is involved in philanthropy, and hosts events throughout the school year to raise awareness and money for their specific cause. Typically, sororities and fraternities host at least one event per semester. Many philanthropic events are scheduled soon, kicking off the semester the right way by giving back. Before going through recruitment, all I knew about Greek life was what was portrayed in movies, and that community service was a large portion of it. Since joining my organization, I quickly found out that the events hosted on campus are very popular and tons of fun. One of my favorite aspects of Greek life is when you join your chapter, you can still interact and participate in other chapters’ functions. It is a great way to peek into the philanthropies of other organizations and helps me gain an appreciation for the hard work other Greek men and women are putting into improving the community. No matter what the philanthropy event is, they all benefit a good cause and give back to the community around us. Whether it’s a carnival, kickball tournament, dance off or boxing match, awareness and money are raised to benefit deserving charities, and that is something every Greek organization can get behind and support. Though it is encouraged that chapters send members to participate in other organizations’ events, not every chapter sends a team to each function. Not only does it allow for one to gain perspective and appreciation as well as participate in community service, but it provides many opportunities to try something new. In high school, I never imagined that I would be dancing in front of thousands of people or stepping with women I now consider my second family. Being a Greek woman means representing my letters, organization’s principles and our philanthropy. By encouraging participation in our own events and other chapters’ as well, the bond of the Greek community is strengthened tenfold. Emily Crace is the assistant design editor of the Kentucky Kernel Email opinions@kykernel.com
I Kentucky Kernel I 3
Editorial
Safety unjust casuality of UK image President Capilouto has made many remarks about how important student safety is to the university. When the university releases statements about student safety, it has of late been reactionary to public upheaval, not precautionary. Two separate close-to-campus incidents, a mugging of two young men walking home from the Euclid Kroger and a home burglary on University Drive, happened over the course of a few hours the night of Aug. 31 and morning of Sept. 1. No university statement was released about these incidents, however. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Lexington police alerted the UK Police Department in August about a serial rapist near campus. But students had no notice of the threat until UK Police Chief Joe Monroe responded to a viral post that was circulating around campus. The confusion surrounding the lack of alerts was cleared up when Lexington Police Chief Mark Barnard told students that
they communicate incidents near campus or campus neighborhoods to UKPD. But even though UKPD is aware, they only include warnings or reports of incidents that occur “on campus posing a threat that requires immediate action,” according to Monroe’s email to campus. It is clear from the already existent line of communication between the police departments that UK has the ability to alert students to these crimes. But the more they make people aware of these crimes, the more UK has to admit that its campus community is not as safe as it would like students and their parents to believe. Case in point: the public relations reaction to the unearthing of serious flaws in how the university deals with sex crimes on campus. When victims of sexual assault and harassment came forward with their story exposing serious issues of how high er education hides sex offenders and the results of their Title IX investigations behind FERPA, the university responded with a refusal
to acknowledge what associate professor James Harwood did. The cover letter the university turned over because of the Kernel’s open records request did not say Harwood’s charges. It just listed two policies he’d violated—policies that encompass a wide range of issues from discrimination to rape. Instead of responding to the Kernel’s inquiry with transparency about cases like Harwood’s, it has pushed back against its own student newspaper and the Attorney General with a lawsuit in Fayette County Circuit Court. The Kernel has made it clear to the president through its writing that there is a proper redaction process that eliminates identifying information of victims and witnesses, and any information that would constitute a violation of their privacy rights. Only after the university felt pressure and criticism from the Board of Trustees, national media, students, faculty — even the survivors who wrote letters expressing their desire to see the university take a step to correct the problem they pointed out — did the President finally take a
step to fix this broken system that has victimized college campuses for years. But as far as letting the public know about other cases, the university has yet to take a progressive stance and let the public know about employees they are aware were charged by Title IX with sexual misconduct violations. If UK considers student safety more important that its image, then it needs to take a more proactive response to these safety issues. It is absolutely within its power to increase student awareness about close to campus incidents, through including Lexington PD’s information in the UKPD crime log or in its alerts for ongoing events. As a university that seeks to be a pioneer of tackling sex crimes on campus with its mandatory safety survey, they need to do more to make students aware of safety concerns on their campus,including being aware of employees charged with sexual misconduct violations. Email opinions@ kykernel.com
No butts about it In an Aug. 25 campus-wide e-mail, President Capilouto proclaimed that UK was joining over 1,100 colleges and universities in the United States as having a tobacco-free campus, but you don’t have to look far to see that the claim is just that – a claim and nothing more. An open records request filed by the Kentucky Kernel found that since UK implemented its tobacco-free campus policy in 2009 they have not filed any citations against people smoking on campus, proving their policy to just be lip-service. If UK plans to inconsistently enforce this policy or avoids it all together they’d be apt to reconsider their strong-armed position and look to accommodate smokers by providing a smoking zone on campus off the beaten path of foot traffic. Currently students, faculty and other campus commuters gather in various spots on campus to light up, including behind White Hall and Patterson Office Tower, near the hospital, and along Rose Street near the Chem./Phys. Building and President’s house.
The excessive amount of smoking near the hospital is cause for concern considering the immediate and long-term health risks associated with smoking and secondhand smoke. Adding further to these frustrations is the number of doctors, nurses and other UK medical staff seen outside smoking. According to Capilouto’s e-mail the policy is enforced by Tobacco-free Take Action! Ambassadors, but these ambassadors are rarely seen navigating campus, leading to no real change and a solidification of the values opposite of what UK and the majority of the campus community wish to see. The Kernel’s records request also found that only 11 of these ambassadors are on campus. Students are also encouraged to report violators of the policy to campus officials, leaving those who abide to the rule wondering if UK has any real, thought-out solutions to curbing this problem other than relying on tips from people. Data compiled in a 2014 study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention show that Kentucky, along with West Vir-
ginia, have the highest rates of adult tobacco users in the country, with nearly 27 out of every 100 adults in the state regularly smoking. Kentucky is leading the way, but this is not a victory worth bragging about. The university needs to apply more swift actions to enforce the policy and help reverse the upward trend of smokers in the bluegrass. According to UK, violators to the policy are reported to the Dean of Students and can face disciplinary actions, although the university doesn’t provide specifics regarding the punishment. Employee violators are reported to their supervisors and can receive discipline under UK’s Human Resources policy. The university’s lack of action only shows that UK and Capilouto will talk the talk to appease their critics, but won’t necessarily walk the walk. Actions speak louder than words, and UK’s current inaction is speaking volumes about their commitment to providing an inclusive and healthy learning environment for all. Email opinions@kykernel.com
NEWS
GRAD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
quirements are not permitted to register for classes.”
Guthrie could still be found in the university directory on Sept. 11. He was issued a school ID and a student ID number. Guthrie received a $65 refund check for his application fees from the university. He said he has not cashed it yet, because UK does not normally refund applicants’ fees. Since arriving in Lexington, Guthrie has
received two job offers, applied for a business license and began hosting a radio show on WRFL. “I don’t care if this has to go to court,” Guthrie said. “I’m going to speak as loudly as possible about this.”
CLASSIFIEDS For Rent
Help Wanted
1 Bedroom
AZUR restaurant and patio and Brasabana Cuban Cuisine are now hiring experienced servers and bartenders. Excellent income potential for Keeneland and upcoming holiday season.
Lucky you, just available! Nice 1BR, near UK and all 3 hospitals. $675/mo including all utilities. Call Brad (859) 983‑0434. Roommate needed !!!! Newtown Town homes roommate needed for our 4 bedroom 4 bath Townhome. The 1 bedroom 1 bath is empty and available immediately. Please call or text 502‑475‑2504. 670.00 month lease starts Oct 1 and ends July 1.
4 Bedroom 4 bedroom, 2 bath, newly remodeled. Walking distance of the new student center. $1,100. Please contact 859‑983‑8945.
6 Bedroom 6 bedroom/ 2 bath house available now. Close to campus on Park avenue.$485 per person. Will take less than 6 people. Includes utilities & internet. Call Dennis 859‑983‑0726 www.sillsbrother.com
Attention Women in Technology event at William T. Young Library at the University of Kentucky on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. Register now at www.sap.com/ uky wit2016 to join us, and discover how you can begin forging your path to a successful career in technology.
Heroes Work Here, and so should YOU! AAA is looking for a few friendly voices who can make a positive difference by helping our valued members with their emergency road service needs. AAA is currently accept ing applications for seasonal positions in its Road Service Contact Center in Hamburg/ Lexington. Excellent communication skills, computer & typing skills, the desire to help people, and a professional appearance is required. Seasonal employment to begin in October. Must enjoy a customer‑focused, high‑volume, fast‑paced environment! Begin the application process today by contacting Candace Raglin, Recruiter, at 859‑425‑5720! EOE. High school wrestling referees wanted. Work Saturdays for $18 ‑ $22/hour. Previous wrestling experience preferred. Training provided. Contact KWOAofficials@ gmail.com or visit kyofficials.com. LLM is a non‑profit that works with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Full and part‑time hours are available in the community and residential setting. Starting at $10.00 an hour. Weekend and afternoon hours are available. Apply online @ www.lordslegacyministries. org or call 859.245.2233.
Plasma center medical helper. No experi ence necessary. Flexible schedules. Must be available some weekends, late weekdays, holidays and next semester. Apply for the Medical Screener and/or Customer Service position in the “Career” section at www. cslplasma.com, and also email resume to chris.otto@cslplasma.com
Call 859.257.2871 to place an ad I Ads can be found at kykernel.com DEADLINE - 3 p.m. the day before publication
The Kentucky Kernel is not responsible for information given to fraudulent parties. We encourage you not to participate in anything for which you have to pay an up-front fee or give out credit card or other personal information, and to report the company to us immediately.
UK Dining Hiring Students‑ Jobs on campus, flexible scheduling, $8.25/ hour, free meal with shift. Apply at Bosworth Hall (basement level) 631 S Limestone Street (859)257‑6156 or uky.campusdish.com/careers
Professional Services O‑Chem sucks! Call Organix at 859.489.4160 for the best tutoring on campus! 93% of clients get B or better! First session is free!
Roommates Wanted Roommate needed for nice house. Male or female Private bedroom & bath.$535 includes all utilities, cable & internet. Call landlord Dennis 859‑983‑0726 Roommates needed for student property close to campus. Call landlord Dennis 895‑983‑0726 for information. www. sillsbrothers.com
every hour. every day. www.kykernel.com
4
kernelsports
I Kentucky Kernel I 9.22.16
Stoops unhappy with defense heading into USC matchup
slated to get the start after his performance against Eastern Carolina University last week Judging by head coach Mark basically won him the job. Stoops’ comments Wednesday McIlwain is known to be more after practice, UK is not in great shape for Saturday’s matchup against 2-1 (1-1) South Carolina, a team it has beaten the last two years. It’s fair to say this is a mustwin for the Cats who sit at 1-2 and have a matchup with No.1 Alabama right around the corner in Tuscaloosa next weekend. A loss this week makes the road to bowl eligiblity that much more difficult and with the way things have looked in practice, the Cats’ defense is not where it should be according to Stoops. “We are not very good on defense – I am not very pleased with the way we are practicing defensively,” Stoops said during his press conference Wednesday. “I thought we absolutely regressed today and that is our problem. Until we get it changed, we are going to have the same darn results that we have in that stadium, which is bullcrap.” That same defense that Stoops was ripping on will have to deal with a new-look Gamecock offense on Saturday as freshman Brandon McIlwain is By Chris Angolia
sports@kykernel.com
of a mobile quarterback and in recent years, these players have given UK’s defenses fits. If McIlwain does give the Cats problems early, it will be
imperative that guys like linebacker Jordan Jones step up to help contain the mobile Gamecocks quarterback. However, after Wednesday’s
PHOTO BY JOSH MOTT | STAFF Mark Stoops walks the sideline during UK’s first game of the season against Southern Miss.
NEWS
Lynch addresses heroin and opioid epidemic By Sara Nederhoed news@kykernel.com
Attorney General Loretta Lynch delivered a speech at UK regarding the heroin and opioid epidemic plaguing the country Tuesday afternoon. Lynch spoke of recent problems regarding overdoses in the area after President Barack Obama proclaimed Sept. 18-23 as National Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week. “I know that here in Kentucky, you have experienced the ravages of the heroin and opioid epidemic with particular viciousness. It has hit hard here,” Lynch said. She said those lost are more than a statistic or scholarly article. They are children, siblings, friends and fellow Americans. Lynch focused on the subjects of prevention, enforcement and treatment when addressing the abuse of heroin and opioids. She ensured that the Department of Justice is devoted to help Kentucky overcome the recent epidemic of drug abuse. “We are seeing results, we are. We are focusing our enforcement efforts on this problem because we have to stop pipeline poison into our communities. But, arrests and prosecution will not end the opioid epidemic on their own,” Lynch said. The main source of these drugs are not among drug trafficking rings throughout the area, but in medicine cabinets, Lynch said. She ensured that the DEA is working with drug
manufacturers, pharmacies and doctors to distribute prescriptions responsibly to households. She encouraged every American to take an initiative to working towards stopping drug abuse by locking their medicine cabinets and safely disposing of expired or unwanted prescriptions. Not only is the DEA working with those who make and distribute these drugs that are susceptible to abuse, but things are being done to make a curriculum for middle school and high school students, along with their parents and teachers to raise awareness of heroin and opioid abuse. The opioid and heroin awareness curriculum, Operation Prevention, will be available to schools nation-wide for free, online in October. 3.8 million people ages 12 and up are misusing prescription drugs in America, according to the Department of Hu-
practice it seems as if Stoops does not have much faith in his group defensively. “Until we grow up and get a mentality about us and have
man Health Services. In 2015, more than 1,200 people in Kentucky died of drug overdose, a 15 percent increase from the previous year. A quarter of those deaths were due to heroin, according to Lynch. Lynch thanked UK for its assistance and support in aiming to stop drug abuse in surrounding areas. “The great work that is being done here in Kentucky is a model that should be replicated around the country. We will be looking to you as an example for other states,” Lynch said. Lynch said together, the public will relentlessly pursue those who traffic opioids and teach our kids about the dangers of these drugs. “We will and we must continue to help those in the clutches of addiction to seek help, to embrace hope and to reclaim their lives. We will, we can and we must,” she said.
PHOTO BY JOSHUA QUALLSI STAFF U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch talks about the commonwealth’s heroin epidemic at UK’s College of Pharmacy on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
some guys step up and get tougher, then we are going to look like the same bunch of crap,” Stoops said. “We have no idea what it takes to have concentration from the begining of the week through the end and through a whole game.” With his lack of confidence in the defense, Stoops will look to his offense to solve the Gamecocks defense led by former Florida head coach and Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp who is in his first year as head coach for the Gamecocks. To counter that defense, Stephen Johnson will be making his first career start at UK replacing Drew Barker who is out for a significant amount of time with a back injury. Johnson threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns to lead Eddie Gran’s offense in the win last week, but Gran knows that one game means nothing and how important this week’s matchup truly is. With the defense struggling it will be imperative that the offense show up Saturday. “If you think you’ve arrived you’re in big trouble, you will get humbled in a heartbeat and it will be ugly,” Gran said Tuesday. “We got to go win this one, we have got to go get it.”
Young brings foreign policy debate to BCTC
Political party representatives to showcase views on war, peace and foreign policy through debate By Matt Smith news@kykernel.com
War, U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East are not heavily debated topics around UK, or issues that hold significance with students. But a self-described expert on military affairs, who has also been a frequent candidate for public office, is seeking to change that. Geoff Young, a Lexington resident and political activist, has organized a debate on foreign policy, war and peace on Friday, Sept. 30 at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College on Cooper Drive. There are currently four confirmed participants, with each representing the views of their political party and its presidential nominee: Democrat Jason Belcher, Republican T.J. Litafik, Libertarian Ken Moellman and Bernadene Zennie of the Green Party. All are political activists within their respective parties. Litafik is a former executive adviser within Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration, who departed from state government in June without an explanation, according to reporting from the Lexington Herald Leader. Senator Rand Paul and his democratic challenger, Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, have
also been invited. Both Congressman Andy Barr and his challenger, Democrat Nancy Jo Kemper, turned down invitations to participate. Young claimed that Kemper, who defeated him in the Democratic Primary for Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District, originally signed on to the debate, but backed out upon realizing that Congressman Barr would
“They don’t ask fundamental questions about these things. These are extremely important issues, that get almost no attention.” Geoff Young
Lexington Resident and Political Activist
not be participating. Young felt the need to hold this panel, largely due to the lack of coverage that these issues get in the mainstream media. “I found that our media corporations, including KET, simply don’t ask questions about these issues,” Young
said. “They don’t ask fundamental questions about these things. These are extremely important issues, that get almost no attention.” The debate will be moderated by Dr. Michael Benton, who will also serve as a timekeeper. Each panelist will receive three to four minutes to answer each question, with the questions being “open-ended, simple, and fundamental,” according to Young. Some debate topics, which have been listed on the event’s official Facebook page, include the U.S. defense budget, conflicts in Syria and Libya and the decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003. The debate is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Oswald Building at BCTC. Other sponsors include the Central Kentucky Council for Peace and Justice, and the BCTC Students for Peace and Earth Justice. As noted above, Young has made multiple bids for public office, with foreign policy issues having a prominent place in his platform. After running for Congress in the 6th Congressional District in the last two cycles, Young plans on running for a spot in the House of Representatives. “It is very likely that I will be running for the U.S. House in 2018,” Young said.
FEATURES
By Matt Wickstrom features@kykernel.com
For most people, 5 p.m. marks the end of a long, strenuous work day. For Shawn Gannon the day is just getting started. The jack-of-all-trades Gannon begins his days at Bluegrass Community and Technical College where he teaches welding and technology courses and ends with curating musical events and ensuring the artists involved feel right at home during their time on the road. Gannon along with Jay Hawkins pour much of their free time into Soulful Space, a gothic-inspired
Gannon creates Soulful Space church built in the 1920s. The two have been holding shows at the picturesque church since 2014, holding five or six shows per year. “(Soulful Space) is an alternative venue in the sense that we’re not asking for anyone to play for the church, it’s completely secular, sing what song you want,” Gannon said. “Language is not a barrier, if it’s in the song it’s in the song. We’re not asking for anything gratuitous, but if it’s part of the music you sing then it’s part of the music you sing and we want to be open to everybody.” The final installment of Soulful Space’s 2016 series will feature Portland-based indie rockers Horse
Feathers on Oct. 20. According to Gannon Horse Feathers is the biggest band in terms of following that will have played to this date in the building. “This is the first time we’ll be dealing with guys who are legitimate rock stars coming through, so we’re learning that there’s a lot more that goes into organizing a show for them,” Gannon said. “Some of the people who play locally and know us well understand the quirky nature of the church and that it’s just me and Jay carrying most of the work load so they work around that. People coming in from Portland like Horse Feathers have a
certain expectation and we’re making it work.” Aside from his involvement curating music for Soulful Space, Gannon is also Vice President of the Board of Directors for The Lexington Area Music Alliance, a local nonprofit that seeks to provide the most hospitable experience for visiting musicians as possible. Founded in 2010, the group helps to provide artists with any accommodations they may need, including dentists, urgent care, and laundry services. “The goal of (LAMA) is to encourage big touring bands to come through Lexington not just because somebody has booked them but be-
cause they want to,” Gannon said. Gannon and Soulful Space have teamed up with West Sixth Brewing for an Oktoberfest extravaganza on Oct. 1 at Coolavin Park that will feature musical performances from the Debraun Thomas Trio, Blind Corn Liquor Pickers, Daisy Helmuth, The Rooster’s Crow and Small Batch. Other activities include pumpkin carving, bouncy houses, food trucks and a tented beer garden. Six percent of the day’s proceeds will go toward benefiting Foodchain, a startup nonprofit that currently operates the only indoor Aquaponics Farm in Lexington.